The Portland daily press., 1887-02-23

The recommendations of the committee on
appropriations were c0ncurred in, and the
committee having risen. conference was or
qered on the disagreeing votes OF the
Houses.
Mr.. Bragg Of Wisconsin, from the commit
zee on military affairs, reported bill which
Is mentioned as a substitute for the McAdo0
Dill, Ito provide for the manufacture OF first
class modern guns for navy and sea coast
ana other defences." Referred to the COM
mittee Of the whole.
The committee report unanimously and
say that while they concur In the wisdom OF
making provision looking to system OF pub
nc defence which shall protect our sea board
ana Great Lakes in case Of contingency OF
war, which the committee do not consider In
any degree imminent, they decline to adopt
tne proposed bill, but recommend substi-
tute therefor which in the judgment OF the
committee will fully meet all present exigen-
cles and place the country in position
readily and quickly to provide against all
future exigencies as they may arise. The re-
port Is largely description Of the bill and
aennes the objects Of its provisions. In re-
derr,ng to the appropriation Of $4,000 for
10r @ 8. 10 and II inch breech loading rifle guns.
Inc report says: ut may be asked why the
amount appropriated Is so small, why no
provision is made for still larger guns, and
WY tle appropriation Is restricted. Steel
was selected because the committee believe
1t to be much the best material for large
guns as proven by actual test. The amount
nxed Is believed to be fully as large as can be
prontably expended in material in the time
within which the appropriation is limited.
ana tne size OF the guns designated fully as
large as 1t may reasonably be expected will
pc produced and manufactured within the
time limited
The third section of the bill provides for
mortars OF the largest size for coast defence
and appropriates S5OOOOO therefor. This Is
one of the quickest means Of coast defence
that can be supplied and we have already
one In process OF construction which will be
proved and tested In a few months. Such a
mortar Will cost from $4,000 to 100000 and
can De very readily and quickly manufac-.
Commenting ON the fourth section which
appropriates 100000 for the purchase and
construction Of torpedoes and submarine
mines the committee says: There Is no
.T narbor z. defence In the judgment OF this COM
mlttee tnat can be reached so quickly and so
cheaply, nor which can be made more com
pletc than that made by the use of torpedoes,
torpedoe boats and submarine mines. The
sole protectlon necessary to cover and guard
them can be Impoverished with great ease
when we have guns, and men who know how
TO handle them. The dynamite torpedo, up
on torpedo boat, will ere long revolutioniZe
all opinions and plans for harbor defence
Unless this committee have failed In fore
casting the future we are so sanguine in our
give assurance to the inventive genius now
studying the torpedo system and the use of
dynamite therein that upon the consumma-
ton OF their plans they may readily expect
recognition from this government
The House then went into committee Of
the whole for the consideration of the ap-
preparation bills, and after contest as to
the order Of business, took up the Senate
amendment to the post Office bill. The only
amendment upon which non concurrence Is
recommended is that appropriating $4,000
for the transportation Of foreign mails by
American steamships to Southern and Ceu-
trail America and the Empire Of Brazil.
Mr.. Burroughs. of Michigan, moved con-
currence and spoke in favor Of the amend
ment.
Pending further debate the committee rose
and the House proceeded to the considera-
ton Of the resolutions expressive of regret at
the death of Senator Pike, of New Hamp-
shire. Eulogies were delivered by Messers.
Haynes and Galliger, of New Hampshire,
Long, OF Massachusetts, Holman, of Indiana,
Brown, Of Pennsylvania, Rockwell. of Mas
sachusetts, Dingley, Of Maine, Cutcheon, OF
Michigan, and then as mark Of respect to
the memory of the deceased, the House at
4.35 o'clock adjourned.